Ascend

Prologue: Venerer

The smell of mud was heavy and damp in the air. The moon hung like a pearl in the sky, a single light against the depths of the night, casting an irritatingly warm glow across the sea of trees. The Master of the Venerer cursed mildly as he saw large rays of moonlight dawning on their pathway. He growled. They would have to cross the river instead. He did not enjoy the last time he accidentally grazed his hand under the forsaken light.

Nevertheless, he did not let his emotions affect his posture. His molten gold hair was left to spill down his shoulders, only few strands were tied into a perfect braid to the back of his head. His face was fair and sharp, lined with a sturdy jawline. His eyebrows scrunched together in furious concentration, hiding onyx depths that darted back and forth for the slightest motion. The forest was too dark for a mortal to see anything, but for him it was as if it was as clear as daylight. His pointed ears reached out for the softest whispers. His arms, hidden under layers of faery iron and stolen elf armour was rippling with strength, his hands gripped around the handle of his steathed sword.

He let out an exasperated sigh, then sniffed the air one more time. 

He grinned. 

There it was.

The scent that would change the world.

He froze and slowly turned around, eyes blazing.

Behind him about ten Venerers huddled together. Some wielded spears, others swords. They wore similar armour to their Master, but with silver cladding instead of gold. Dragon skin wrapped around them as capes, which billowed behind them. Their complexion were similar to their Master's: sharp and pale. All of them eager for something. They looked into his eyes, reading a silent command, and dropped onto the ground, drawing their weapons.

For long they have been waiting for his opportunity, to crush the other Kingdoms' strength. After months of spying and confirmation, they had finally dared to gather the best of their Venerers for this trip. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Absolutely nothing.

For a few minutes all was still. Then a faint canter of hooves came, along with light footsteps. Time pressed on, and a stream of light intensify,  dancing across the pillars of trunks that stretched across the land on their right.

By years of training, they leaped from their hiding places and padded across the pasture soundlessly. The grass parted for their soundless attack by instinct, for they recognise their kind. The light grew brighter and brighter, until he could make out a carriage, driven by two strong, pure black horses. The carriage roughly plain, painted black on the outside with only a window as a decoration. Twelve guards flanked the carriage, bows and spears up, their high heads carrying pride. Their golden armour shone despite the darkness, lined with white elf chainmail, with slender yet firm muscles surged through their arms, their faces hidden behind golden helmets etched with emerald.

Among the shadows, the Master smirked. The King takes care of their treasures too lowly. Perhaps they were too small-minded to notice this ambush coming, for a young baby.

They weren't very happy when they heard their target was a youngling, but even the Master of the Venerer couldn't doubt their Court's decision. If it needed someone like the Venerers, it had to be important.

Within the shadows, the Master listed down the possible reinforcements that weren't in sight. There coukd be something else, he mused. He clenched his jaw at the thought of invisible guards. That was impossible, illegal elf magic. The  King would have to pay a great price for using spells like that. Never matter, at least the Master will have something juicy to report when it actually happens.

He turned to his Venerers with a nod, and gave three fingers. They acknowledged the countdown and donned their helmets.

Be careful.

One of the horses neighed loudly, sensing the presence of faerie scent and stabbed its hooves onto the ground. The uneasiness on the rider's face deepened, but he forced the horses to speed up.

Two.

The guards acknowledged the rider's expression and drew their weapons.

One.

The tension was painful, and the Master could see orange auras of excitement surging up his group, itching to spring. He let out a sliver of a grin.

Zero.

One of the Venerer launched the first arrow, watching it spiraling through the air and striking the rider's head with a sickening crunch. The rider opened his mouth let out an empty wail, and collapsed onto the ground.

The rider opened his mouth let out an empty wail, and collapsed onto the ground.

"IT'S THE FAERIES!"

And the chary peace descended into chaos.

The guards leaped in front of the carriage to protect their load. They did what they were trained to do; few of them placed their shields in fornt of them for form a fortress, others leaped over the barrier to intercept. It had supplied them efficient defence over the years, but all of them know it wasn't enough to break through the summer faeries' elites.

With sheer luck, one of them struck one of the Venerer's eyes through the layers thick helmet. He wailed in agony, and collapsed onto the ground.

There was a sudden pause in the tension.

The next moment, the air was filled with roars, and the Venerers charged furiously. The horses whinnied and galloped on, but were immediately pinned down by three of the Venerers by a swift strike on the mid section. The Venerers razed the twelve guards down with mere ease, tearing down heads and stabbing their chests. The Master still stood in the shadows, watching.

Watching the darknes. Reading the unreadable, searching for anything that seem too odd to be a part of nature. Any signs of ambushes.

He observed for a few minutes, even waited for anything to descend onto his team.

Nothing.

Finally he eased the worry down and stepped into the pathway, finding his team has already formed a perfect semi-circle around the  carriage.

"Olan." He said in a crisp, cold baritone voice. The Venerer with auburn hair stepped forward gracefully, helmet tucked under her left arm. Her face was steely.

"Search."

"Yes, my Lord."

She bowed briefly, and strode to the carriage, drawing her blade. After a few sharp hacks, the iron door fell back in a splintering shatter that could make a mortal deaf, revealing the cabin.

For a few moments, Olan just stared into the interior. The Venerers expected a burst of crying, or even gurgling. Anything a baby would to to loud noises.

But silence remained.  

"Olan," The Master said calmly. "What is inside?"

The Venerers drew a shaky breath, but said nothing.

All was quiet.

***

HEY WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL READERS. 

IM NOT SAYING IT YOU'RE AMAZING BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE VOTES AND CRITIQUES. 

OKAY MAYBE I DO

BUT HONESTLY YOU GUYS ARE BEAUTIFUL FOR READING THIS AND FOR BEING YOURSELVES

YES GIRLS AND BOYS ALIKE

ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS MY FIRST WATTPAD ENTRY 

IF YOU THINK THIS STORY IS OKAY, PLEASE VOTE AND COMMENT. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH JOY IT BRINGS THE AUTHOR.